Falling For Her Boss (23 page)

Angela gave her daughter a long, poignant look, then patted her knee.  "You have grown up."

****

Wielding the spoon as if the faster she stirred, the more she'd get accomplished, Francie mixed mayo into the chunks of chicken.

Noah opened bags of sandwich rolls on the counter so they could be filled as soon as Francie finished making the chicken salad.  They'd driven over to her uncle Dom's house early this morning to help the family prepare for the party.  Angela and Paul thought they were coming to Dom's for dinner.  Thirty relatives and friends would surprise them instead.

Noah couldn't believe the feelings that had barraged him the last few days, the explosion every time he and Francie made love.  Most of all, he couldn't believe he'd taken her on the supply room floor!  Valentine's Day had sideswiped him—finding out Francie wasn't going back to figure skating, watching her in her Cupid outfit, seeing McIntosh's lips on hers, and finally Francie telling him she loved him.

Noah still wondered about that.  But she murmured it every time they made love.  Couldn't she be confusing chemistry with feelings?  How could she love him when she knew he wasn't staying?  Could love be that unconditional?

It seemed it could in the Piccard family.  Although Angela had wanted Francie to go back to skating, she'd accepted Francie's decision.  But Noah got the feeling Angela didn't accept him.  Because she knew how Francie felt and didn't approve of him?  Or because she knew he was leaving?

Leaving.

As Francie washed and dried her hands, the thought of going back to Richmond and not seeing her for months seemed impossible.

He came up behind her at the sink and circled her with his arms.  "What else do we have to do?"  Pushing her hair aside with his chin, he nibbled her earlobe.

"As soon as we make...uh...the sandwiches and put them in the downstairs...refrigerator, everything's...ready.  Noah, I can't think when you do that."

He whispered against her neck.  "What's there to think about?"  Pressing against her, he knew she could feel his arousal.

She rubbed her head against his shoulder.  "The next shift is coming in a few minutes.  Vince said he'd be here at--  Noah!"

Her breasts fit his hands so perfectly.  "Let's go back to the apartment."

They'd spent as much time alone there as they could since they'd made love on Thursday.  It wasn't the sex that made him want to be with her, though that was more wonderful than he ever imagined it could be.  Rather, he wanted to simply be with her, spend every moment he could with her, and that led to their physical need for each other.  Out of deference to her parents, Francie made sure she was always in her own room by 1 A.M.  Noah respected Angela and Paul, but he hated to see her leave his bed.  He hated the emptiness that she left behind.

"I told Veronica I'd stop at the rink for a while this afternoon," Francie said as she relaxed against him.

"But I'm the boss."  He teased her nipple back and forth as if that might convince her to play hooky.

"You're not playing fair," she groaned.

"Who's playing?"

She sighed and turned in his arms, placing her hands on his chest to keep him at a distance.  Her brown eyes danced with desire.  "Uncle Dom just finished putting up the chairs.  Listen."

"I don't hear anything."

"That's my point.  He'll be in here in a minute and so will Aunt Rita.  She can clean the living room for only so long.  How will it look if we're..."

Noah smiled wickedly.  "Making out?"

"Noah..."

"We don't have much time left, Francie.  A couple of days.  Come back to the apartment with me."  He felt guilty as soon as he said it because the sadness in her eyes almost chased the desire away.

She fingered the front of his flannel shirt, teased a few of the curling hairs in the open V with her forefinger, sending a ripple of longing through him.  "You know I want to be with you.  Let me call Veronica.  She's been taking over so much lately.  Maybe we could stop in at the rink before we come to the party."

"You won't be dressed for skating."

"If it was up to you, I wouldn't be dressed at all," Francie teased with a smile that said she truly didn't mind.

He pulled her into a tight hug, loving the feel of her in his arms, the feel of her in his life.  "Go call Veronica.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that none of the staff is out sick today."

****

Despite the noise, despite the bedlam of friends and relatives moving in and out of rooms congratulating the anniversary couple, despite the small children running here and there, Noah kept his eyes on Francie.  She was a vision in her magenta sweater-dress with her hair curled in spirals from the crown to the tips.  High heels suited her even better than skates.  When they'd stopped in at the rink, everyone had done a double-take.

She came to his side now and he curved his arms around her waist.  "Your parents were surprised."

She laughed.  "I never saw Pop blush before.  But they're enjoying themselves now."

Angela and Paul sat on the sofa opening presents.  They were down to the last one.  Gina handed them a blue box with a white ribbon and Noah realized it was his.  Angela looked up at him but didn't smile.

Francie caught the interchange.  "What did you get them?"

"You'll see in a minute."

Paul tore off the wrappings to find a collection of fifties and sixties music.  A big grin split his face.  Angela got up from the sofa and came over to Noah while Paul shuffled through the CD's.

She said, "Thank you, Noah.  Maybe I can get him to dance with me again.  Those were the songs we fell in love to, raised our family with.  But you didn't have to buy us a present."

"You've been more than kind to me.  I appreciate being able to share your celebration."

Angela hesitated a moment, then hugged him.  The older woman's affection felt unusual, but welcome.  His mother had never been big on hugs.  Angela murmured softly so that only he could hear, "You, too, could have this kind of celebration someday."

When she leaned back, she studied him.

A voice whispering in his heart asked, Could it be possible?

Paul called for his wife.  "Come here, Angela.  The kids want to give us something."

She rejoined her husband on the sofa.  "You already gave us this wonderful party.  What more could we want?"

Vince handed his father an envelope.  "We thought you could use a little time away.  We made you reservations for tonight--the honeymoon suite at the Comfort Inn here in town.  Then tomorrow you can drive to the Poconos and have three days alone together to do whatever you'd like.  Pop, I've rerouted all your calls for the next few days, and Mama, Gina rescheduled your appointments."

"The Poconos," Paul mused, examining the brochure.  "I've always wanted to try to ski."

Angela playfully punched him in the arm.  With tears in her eyes, she looked at her children gathered around them.  "The vacation makes us happy."  She gazed at Francie.  "But having all of you here, together, makes us happier."

Noah backed up a step, the pain stabbing him so intense he closed his eyes for a moment.  But he could still see the portrait of the Piccard family.  Angela and Paul in the center.  Vince and Frank and their families standing in the back, little Marie in Vince's arms.  Gina on one arm of the sofa.  Francie on the other.

Suddenly passion was nothing compared to the need for love and being loved, the need for family and someone special to make a life with.

He'd never even dreamed of it because he'd believed it could never be within his grasp.  Was a different life possible?  Was there an answer to traveling for the business?

Both questions seemed monumental, their answers too complicated to figure out now.  Now he needed Francie in his arms.

After Angela and Paul cut the anniversary cake, with much laughter they repeated the ritual of feeding it to each other.  They chatted with their guests a while longer, then left to pack for their mini-vacation.  Noah helped Francie and her family clean up the party remnants. 

As Noah folded chairs and Francie picked up stray paper cups, Gina flopped into an armchair.  "I wanted to tell you guys that Jake and his friends were picked up Friday night for DUI."

"Good for them," Noah commented.

"Exactly what does that mean?" Francie asked.

"It's Jake's second offense so he'll lose his license for a year.  I don't know about the others."

"I'm thankful they'll be off the streets."  Francie stacked the empty cups.

"I'm thankful I didn't keep seeing him and get caught with him."

Noah and Francie exchanged a look.  Gina saw it.  "I know doing it is wrong.  But getting caught's the worst."

Francie rolled her eyes.

"So...," Gina drawled.  "Speaking of getting caught.  I'll be staying over at Lisa's tonight.  Mama and Pop said because I helped you guys arrange the party, I deserve a night out of the house.  So since they'll be gone tonight, you can stay with Noah."

Noah had to smile at Francie's discomfiture.  Her face was almost the same color as her dress.

Gina pointed out, "I do know what goes on.  I have eyes and ears I got from Mama."

Francie brushed her hair from her forehead, a gesture Noah knew meant she was unnerved.

Gina shrugged and hopped up from the chair.  "You don't have to tell me if you are or aren't.  I know Noah will be gone in a few days.  Frank's going to drop me off at Lisa's.  I'll see you tomorrow."

After Gina left the room, Francie looked uncertain.

"She's right," Noah agreed.  "I'd like you to stay the night."

"I don't know, Noah."

"Think about it."

****

It was funny.  Francie felt awkward when she went back to her parents' house and stood in the kitchen with Noah...alone.  They'd never been alone in the house before.  She'd wanted to come by to make sure everything was locked and secure.

As she checked the back door, Noah asked, "Is there anything you'd like me to do?"

"Make sure the cellar door's closed.  I'm going upstairs to pack an overnight bag."

He grinned, took her in his arms, and kissed her soundly.  His voice was husky when he raised his head.  "You'd better hurry that packing, or we'll end up in your bed."

In case he was serious, Francie backed away and took off up the stairs.  A sensual side of her she'd never known existed manifested itself when she made love with Noah.  Maybe in the back of her mind she thought that if he could only see, feel, and hear how much she loved him, he'd stay, or at least talk about the future.  She couldn't give up hoping, not when she loved him so deeply.

She'd bought something special and worn it tonight.  She couldn't wait to see his face when she took off her slip.

The phone rang and Noah yelled, "I'll get it."

This late at night...A sense of foreboding overtook Francie, but she brushed it aside.  Maybe her parents had forgotten something.

But when Noah appeared in her bedroom doorway with a grim look on his face, she dropped the nightgown onto the bed.  "What is it?"

"The skating rink's on fire."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Noah pushed through the gathering crowd, Francie close behind him.  The dispatcher from Adams County Control had only told him that engines had been dispatched, nothing more.  He hoped to God this was minor.  But as they reached the cordoned-off area, he knew better.

Smoke rolled out the windows of the rink.  Firemen seemed to be everywhere with their black jackets, black helmets, fluorescent orange stripes.  A tanker, two engines, and a squad truck zigzagged in front of the building.  He'd noticed another engine around back.

Noah said to Francie, "Stay here."

"I'm going with you."

"I just want to find someone who knows--"  He began.

"We'll find someone together."

He wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything would be all right, but he didn't know if it would be.

A fireman standing at one of the engines in a white jacket and white hat caught Noah's attention so he headed that way.  After Noah introduced himself he said, "I own the rink.  How bad is it?"

The fire chief pushed his hat back on his head.  "We're not sure.  I ordered a foam hose into the kitchen from the back.  The supply room and kitchen are the areas we're fighting.  I'll know more in a while.  All you can do is wait."

It seemed as if they waited a lifetime, but it was only a half hour until firemen exited the building and then returned to the interior with tarps and exhaust fans.  Noah learned they were the clean-up crew who poked around for hot spots and dispersed the smoke.

Noah looked over at Francie.  Her high heels looked uncomfortable, her cream-colored dress coat not as warm as her down jacket.  Her nose was red in the blaze of the spotlights, and she'd shoved her hands into her pockets.

"Let's go back to the apartment.  Someone will call us when they're finished."

"I don't want to leave."

All too well he knew how determined she could be.  "Then let's go sit in the car."

In the car, Noah held Francie as they watched the outside activity diminish, as they watched the cold night air chase onlookers back into their houses.  Only the remaining fire crew and a newsman and cameramen still bustled around the building.

An hour later, the fire chief came to Noah's car.

Noah rolled down the window.  "Do you know what caused it yet?"

"Looks to me like a faulty outlet in the supply room."

Noah had expected that.  He remembered his own thoughts when he first saw the supply room.  "Faulty?"

"I guess 'old' is a better word.  There were inside breaks, and when the broken wires touch metal you have heat.  Spontaneous combustion.  Did you smell anything funny in there lately?"

"Yes," Francie answered.  "The other day.  But I didn't smell it again."

"It looked like you had an overhead light plugged in there.  My guess is you didn't use it all the time."

"We didn't," Francie murmured.

"Probably somebody left it on this evening.  With the paper goods in there, the wood floor, and the kitchen close by, you're lucky the whole place didn't go up in flames."